MASINDE Muliro University has been closed indefinitely following student riots that rocked the institution on Monday evening.
Vice chancellor Prof Frederick Otieno announced the closure of the university at 6pm after a decision by the senate.
Fifty four students were injured as they engaged police and boda boda operators in
running battles
that lasted more than seven hours.
The students also lost personal effects as boda boda operators broke into their hostels and looted their property.
Some 50 students were treated for minor injuries at Kakamega Provincial Genera Hospital and discharged while four were still admitted yesterday.
Those still admitted suffered fractures and one of them was scalded with hot water.
The students were beaten up by boda boda riders after they burnt a motorcycle belonging to one of them.
The university’s finance department was broken into and files stolen by the rioters, pointing a finger at infiltration of the students by outsiders.
The protests were sparked off by students who missed cards for end of semester examinations that started on Monday.
The students camped outside Otieno’s office from 10am to 4pm when anti-riot police officers arrived and dispersed them.
It was at the gate that the boda boda operators joined the fray after the students set one of their bikes a blaze.
Otieno said the senate was set to meet yesterday to decide on re-opening dates.
He said examinations have been suspended and students will continue when they resume.
“It must go out clearly to the elements of impunity who are using students to destabilise the college that we are not going to relent on our resolve to end corruption and improve our services,” Otieno said.
He said some politicians are using students to destabilise the war against corruption.
Otieno said the attackers targeted the finance and the VC’s office.
He said the senate will not violate its own decision to bar students with fees balances from sitting examinations.
Otieno said the students were trying to violate the new rule that is aimed at stabilising the institution’s financial operations and academic performance.